It was such a treat waking up in our stylish room at the beautiful Boulevard Hotel and drawing back the curtains to uninterrupted views of the Irish Sea. Heading downstairs we were shown to a window table in the restaurant from where we could watch the waves lapping the beach whilst tucking into our delicious …
I've visited Blackpool several times but always either in the summer or during the autumn illuminations when the resort has been in full swing so I was curious to find out what it would be like to visit the resort out of season. Plans made, we were up at the crack of dawn (well, earlier …
Continue reading Day 1. Blackpool – for the perfect winter break
Location This picturesque 17th century inn is located in the village of Highclere, Hampshire close to the Berkshire border. Highclere Castle, where most of the filming for Downton Abbey took place, is just up the road and the attractive market town of Newbury a fifteen minute drive away. The Pheasant has ample parking and for …
Location The Inn at Whitewell is located in one of England's 36 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on the Duchy of Lancaster estate overlooking the River Hodder in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire. This charming 14th century inn is easily accessible from the M6 motorway with Lancaster being 18 miles to the north and Preston …
After a traditional Lancashire breakfast at The Inn at Whitewell we were soon ready to see more of the beautiful Ribble Valley. Our first stop of the day was just up the road in the charming small village of Chipping. Narrow winding country lanes lead into the village centre, its attractive stone cottages bedecked with …
Continue reading Day 2. Continuing our visit to the Ribble Valley
The Ribble Valley is an idyllic part of the north of England located in north east Lancashire and covering 212 sq. miles of the Forest of Bowland, an area of deep valleys and peat moorland. It's an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but despite booming tourism with ever increasing numbers of visitors, it's still a …
Location This handsome stone inn stands proudly in the small village of Ben Rhydding set amid leafy lanes and in the shadow of the famous Cow & Calf Rocks on Ilkley Moor. The hotel lies 18 miles north west of Leeds and just one mile from the Victorian spa town of Ilkley which oozes charm …
It was a long time since I last visited Hebden Bridge, a small market town nestled in the south Pennines, eight miles from Halifax. We travelled there by car, making our first stop at Shibden Hall one mile outside Halifax. This half timbered Tudor fronted house dating from 1420 is set in Shibden Park covering …
After enjoying a relaxing breakfast in our idyllic Garden Room accommodation at Cheshire Boutique Barns, we set off for Northwich, 22 miles to the north. On our way we made a brief stop at Nantwich Marina where we had hoped to take a stroll along the towpath of the Shropshire Union canal but the weather …
Continue reading Day 2. The Lion Salt Works and Anderton Boat Lift, Northwich Cheshire
We woke to some lovely spring sunshine and started our day with a hearty breakfast at a window table of the hotel's restaurant overlooking the marina. As we tucked into our delicious breakfasts we watched the crew of one yacht preparing to set sail. The buffet had an excellent choice of hot and cold dishes …
Continue reading Day 2. Visiting The Deep in Hull and dining at Ambiente
